Job Description

Reading Specialist

Under the direction of the Principal, the Reading Specialist provides individualized and small-group reading instruction, diagnostic and evaluative support services for students, and literacy guidance for staff, in support of the school's reading and language arts program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Work with small groups of children to meet individual needs in extended readiness or corrective reading, as appropriate to age, grade level, and individual capacity.
2. Diagnose individual needs and prescribe appropriate methods and materials for learning.
3. Provide diagnostic, evaluative, and interpretive services for students and staff.
4. Confer with parents concerning the progress and needs of individual students.
5. Confer with teachers on a weekly basis concerning the progress and needs of individual students.
6. Select and requisition instructional materials and supplies as needed.
7. Provide reading orientation and guidance for staff members.
8. Work cooperatively with staff in the planning, development, and implementation of the Language Arts curriculum.
9. Coordinate and cooperate with the building principal in formulating in-service training programs for staff and parents.
10. Consult with members of special service teams as appropriate.
11. Attend Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings and IEP conferences as needed.
12. Devise and maintain records and reports necessary to the successful execution of the job.
13. Assume other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Superintendent and/or Principal.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
• Familiarity with current trends in educational technology, along with knowledge of and skill in using effective instructional strategies and practices.
• Working knowledge of blended and personalized learning theory, pedagogy, and practice, including experience delivering professional development.
• Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills, along with a willingness to learn and grow.
• Ability to perform duties professionally, thoroughly, and in a timely manner, with a respectful and friendly demeanor in both internal and external relationships.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to a high-energy, fluid environment.
• Growth mindset reflected in a strong professional belief system.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and request assistance when needed.
• Ability to take initiative, solve problems proactively, and work independently on tasks.
• Ability to respond ethically, professionally, and respectfully in difficult situations.
• Ability to manage time effectively and follow through on assigned tasks accurately.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor regardless of internal or external concerns.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Valid Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) certification in the applicable area of instruction.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3–5 years of teaching experience.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to work in a variety of physical positions, including, but not limited to, sitting, standing, stretching, and walking. The employee is regularly required to talk and/or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands, handle, or feel. The employee must be able to perform physical activities such as, but not limited to, lifting and/or moving light objects up to ten (10) pounds, and occasionally lifting items slightly over ten (10) pounds. The use of a step stool may be required to reach the top drawer of a filing cabinet as necessary. Specific vision abilities include close vision and color vision.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and are not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

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